A Marvelous Megaforce

Five teenagers with special powers star in the new TV series, Power Rangers Megaforce.

Have no fear, the Power Rangers are back in action! The beloved 1990s children’s television series returns to its roots in 2013, portraying five high school students with special powers who come together to combat evil. Power Rangers Megaforce celebrates the 20th anniversary of the popular show, with new cast members, plot twists and plenty of action and excitement. TFK spoke with the Megaforce cast to get the backstage scoop on filming in New Zealand, becoming trained in martial arts and saving mankind from bad guys.

TFK:

What are the Power Rangers up to in 2013?

AZIM RIZK (JAKE, BLACK RANGER):

This new series, Megaforce, features Gosei, who is our supernatural guardian. When the evil Warstar aliens invade Earth, Gosei summons the five of us to come together and defeat the bad guys.

CIARA HANNA (GIA, YELLOW RANGER):

This is the first time in eight seasons that the Power Rangers are high school students. We’re returning to the earlier Mighty Morphin years of the Power Rangers combating evil while simultaneously dealing with being teenagers.

TFK:

How do you think the return to a high school environment sets the tone for the series?

RIZK:

Kids in school have to deal with things like homework and studying, and the Power Rangers have to deal with those things too. Part of the challenge is balancing their superhero lives with their normal, day-to-day lives.

SABAN

The Power Rangers return to a high school setting for the 20th anniversary season.

TFK:

In this 20th anniversary reason, what elements of the show are the same as the original TV series?

HANNA:

It maintains the show’s original themes of friendship, fitness, teamwork and helping others. Even though it’s been 20 years since Power Rangers started, these core themes have stayed the same.

TFK:

What are some of the adventures and challenges viewers can look forward to?

ANDREW GRAY (TROY, RED RANGER):

Both overcoming obstacles as a superhero and facing the constant battle of just being a teenager are the biggest challenges in the series. Each Power Ranger on his or her own is a strong character, but when we come together as a team, we can conquer anything.

HANNA:

Battling evil aliens and dealing with bullies is equally challenging for the Power Rangers. Our values of friendship and unity help us get through these evils as a team and come out on top.

CHRISTINA MASTERSON (EMMA, PINK RANGER):

My character is an amazing BMX bike rider, and she has some exciting chases and adventures while riding her bike. Personally, this was a challenge because, after an accident as a little kid, I spent most of my life terrified of bikes. This production was an exciting challenge that helped me overcome my fear. Now, riding my bike feels freeing and exciting.

TFK:

Megaforce was filmed primarily in New Zealand. What was that experience like?

JOHN MARK LOUDERMILK (NOAH, BLUE RANGER):

None of us had ever been there before! It was an exciting new adventure for all of us, and it is a beautiful place.

HANNA:

I had never been outside the country before, and it was the longest I had ever been away from my family. At first, I got really homesick, but the five of us became a family and that was really comforting.

GRAY:

After seeing movies that were filmed in New Zealand, like Lord of the Rings, I was excited to see the geography for myself. It’s so green and lush and beautiful. It was paradise!

TFK:

How was the physical training process?

GRAY:

Each of us came in with a different skill set and different level of experience. Having the same training process put us all on the same level.

RIZK:

I used to work on a stunt team, and also taught fencing, so I had some experience with combat acting. While both of those came into play during training, I still learned lots of new things.

MASTERSON:

I had never done any sort of martial arts or combat before. Everything was entirely new, and while both emotionally and physically difficult at times, especially with the weather, it was a lot of fun.

SABAN

Gosei, a supernatural guardian, unites the Power Rangers to combat evil forces

TFK:

How does each of you feel you relate to your character?

LOUDERMILK:

My character, Noah, can be really down and doesn’t always believe in himself. I can relate to that—in high school I sometimes needed my friends to give me a bit of encouragement and inspiration.

GRAY:

Troy, my character, is the new kid in town. That’s an identity I can relate to. I went to seven different elementary schools in three years, so I know what it’s like to be the outsider.

HANNA:

Gia is a perfectionist, who is very confident and focused on her schoolwork. I relate to her in these ways—I always want to be the best at whatever I am doing, and I am very focused and diligent. I’m way more silly and laid back than Gia, though. She can be very serious.

MASTERSON:

My character [Emma] is very close to me in some ways. We’re both nature lovers and we both love exploring and protecting our planet.

RIZK:

Jake and I have a similar way of dealing with issues. When we see a problem, we want to go right in and solve it. Jake likes the attention of being the hero and for everyone to know he is taking down the bad guy.

TFK:

What does it feel like to be part of such an iconic television series?

GRAY:

I grew up watching the Power Rangers and it’s surreal to be playing this role now. I am proud to be a part of this production.

RIZK:

It is a huge honor! When I was little I used to play pretend and dress up in capes and make believe I was combating evil. Now, I get to do that as my job. It’s super surreal.

MASTERSON:

It feels great. Who doesn’t want to be a superhero?

TFK:

What do you hope viewers will take away from Megaforce?

RIZK:

I hope viewers walk away from this show feeling empowered. What we teach on this show is that however big an obstacle may be, you can jump over it.

Power Rangers Megaforce airs on February 2, 2013, at 1 P.M. on Nickelodeon.